The benefits of plastic surgery include improved function for reconstructive procedures and better appearance (and, consequently, increased self-confidence) for cosmetic surgery. Both types of surgery have the same risks inherent with all surgery. These include life-threatening complications such as blood clots and infection. Individuals with certain conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, lung disease, obesity) are at increased risk for blood clots, as well as surgery-related stroke and heart attack.

Pain, scarring and lengthy recovery times are also common with any surgery. The level of pain experienced by the patient will depend on the procedure performed and the individual's personal tolerance for pain. Procedures performed on the face are typically less painful, while procedures involving elevation or tightening of the muscles (e.g., abdominoplasty) are often associated with a higher degree of pain during recovery. Patients experiencing extreme pain, nausea or dizziness following a plastic surgery procedure should notify their physician.

Some patients may experience numbness from nerve damage near their incisions. In some cases, the numbness is permanent. Seroma (an accumulation of fluid beneath the wound), hematoma (a collection of blood beneath the wound) and substantial bleeding may also occur. Complications from plastic surgery may require additional surgery or other procedures (e.g., blood transfusion) to treat the problem.

Skin graft patients face risks of infection at the graft site and the possibility that multiple surgeries may be needed to replace all areas of injured skin. Some skin grafts may not connect well to the blood supply at the new site and must be repeated. In addition, skin pigmentation may not match in grafted areas and may appear unnatural.

Because patients choose cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, this type of procedure has the risk of falling short of expectations, in addition to a genuinely poor surgical outcome. For instance, surgery on dual body parts (e.g., ears, nostrils) may not produce symmetrical results.

In addition, the results of some procedures (e.g., facelifts) may only be temporary. Wrinkles may be removed but the aging process will eventually cause them to reappear. Patients should consider all these risks and their expectations when deciding on plastic surgery, and they should discuss their expectations and goals in detail with their physician.

Patients can lower their risk for plastic surgery-related complications by seeking out a qualified and experienced surgeon and following the physician's instructions for self-care before and after the procedure.